Kamonyi District, Rwanda – July 25, 2018** The Government of Rwanda has intensified its efforts to revitalize the agricultural sector by encouraging farmers to form cooperatives. This strategic approach is designed to enhance their access to aid from various donor organizations, fostering collaboration and sustainability in farming communities. A significant focus has been placed on promoting women’s empowerment through these cooperatives.
The government, in partnership with development organizations, provides various forms of assistance to women-led groups. In Kamonyi District, several women have responded to sensitization campaigns, joining cooperatives that have since become beneficiaries of international aid. One notable partner in this effort is Medicus Mundi Rwanda, which collaborates with local NGOs to drive community development. The **Bilbao Project**, a one-year initiative, stands as a testament to this collaboration.
The project, implemented in Kamonyi District through a partnership between ARDE/KUBAHO and Medicus Mundi, has supported seven women’s cooperatives. These cooperatives include **COEPOKA, DUHARANIRUBUZIMA, ABATICUMUGAMBI, TUZAMURANE, KOABA, ITUZE**, and **ABIBUMBYE**, spread across six different sectors in the district. Their activities encompass farming, livestock rearing, and handicrafts, all aimed at improving their livelihoods. One of the key undertakings of these cooperatives is the production of **compost fertilizers**.
This environmentally friendly initiative allows the cooperatives to create compost from organic materials, which is then used to enhance soil fertility and promote sustainable agriculture. The compost is the result of controlled biological decomposition of organic material, processed to reduce pathogens and stabilize its nutrients, which are beneficial for plant growth. Compost offers multiple advantages as a fertilizer. It not only improves the texture of the soil but also provides essential nutrients in a slow-release form, promoting healthy plant growth over time.
Additionally, compost aids in water retention and aeration, transforming even the toughest clay or sandy soils into rich, loamy earth. Plants grown with compost also benefit from increased vigor and resistance to diseases. Through the joint efforts of ARDE/KUBAHO and Medicus Mundi, these women’s cooperatives have made remarkable strides in agricultural productivity, positioning themselves as key contributors to the nation’s agricultural development. As the Government of Rwanda continues to invest in agriculture, projects like these play a crucial role in empowering women, enhancing rural livelihoods, and fostering environmental sustainability.
